Rolf Harris’s greatest fear was not being loved – his depraved crimes ensure that he won’t be
Rolf Harris’s legacy will not be as an artist who painted the Queen, or a musician who played with The Beatles, but rather as a sexual predator who carried out decades of abuse.
Once considered a jovial entertainer, on our screens for more than 60 years, a high-profile trial in 2014 saw him convicted of carrying out sex attacks on girls as young as seven.
Prosecutor Sasha Wass QC described Harris as a “Jekyll and Hyde” character, who, despite his child-friendly public image, was a “sinister pervert” with a “demon lurking beneath his charming exterior”.
The fact his depraved actions went without punishment for so long adds to the trauma for many of his victims, who say they will never recover.
How did his crimes go unchecked?
Again and again, Southwark Crown Court heard about the large, all-enveloping bear hug he would use to trap victims, swiftly sexually assaulting them before moving on as if nothing had happened.
One of the most damning pieces of evidence was a letter he sent to the father of one of his victims, in which he admitted he had a sexual relationship with her, but denied it began when she was just 13.
In the letter, Harris said he was shocked when his former victim told him she had gone along with everything he did “out of fear” and had asked her: “Why did you never just say no?”
He said she replied: “How could [I] say no to the great television star Rolf Harris?”
Read more: Harris, convicted paedophile who used his fame to groom young girls, dies
Rolf Harris once visited Buckingham Palace to paint the Queen
Harris filmed NSPCC video while abusing youngsters
One early sign of his brazen self-belief can be found in an educational video titled Kids Can Say No.
Harris himself suggested the safety video was made, even contacting the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) to gain advice on the best way to teach children about stranger danger.
Harris is now known to have been actively abusing youngsters at the time.
Filmed in 1985, Harris presents the 20-minute video, and tells a group of primary school-age children, “even people you know and trust can be abusers”.
He goes on to warn them, “sometimes people do things to one another that don’t make them feel good”.
In the video’s finale, a large group of children and adults are led by Harris in singing: “My body’s nobody’s body but mine. You’ve got your own body, let me have mine.”
Two uniformed police officers make up part of the choir.
A young Harris pictured in 1955, three years after moving to the UK
Harris on Savile: ‘We go back a long time’
Skipping forward seven years, and more archive footage – this time of Harris drawing paedophile DJ Jimmy Savile in 1992 and joking “we go back a long time” – now has disturbing implications.
Savile died aged 84 in 2011, having never been brought to justice for his crimes. He is now believed to be one of Britain’s most prolific sex offenders.
Harris’s 2014 trial saw a jury of six men and six women find him guilty of 12 counts of indecent assault on women and girls between 1969 and 1986. One of those convictions was later overturned.
Sentenced to five years and nine months in prison, he served just three.
Harris always denied the accusations against him and showed no remorse for his crimes.
Harris with entertainer Rod Hull and Emu in 1987
Why did Harris feel untouchable?
Described in court as an arrogant man, who carried out many of his attacks in plain sight, Harris seemed to believe himself untouchable.
Born in Perth, Australia, to parents who had emigrated from Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, Harris moved to the UK in 1952.
He met his wife Alwen, a sculptor – who stood by him throughout his trial and time in jail – when they were both art students in London.
Harris leaving court with his wife Alwen (L) and daughter Bindi (R) in June 2014
With a fair talent for painting and music, and ability to chat and entertain, it was a 10-minute art slot on a BBC children’s programme alongside a puppet called Fuzz that gave him the first taste of the limelight in 1953.
Swiftly embraced by British TV, he went on to front popular shows including The Rolf Harris Show, Rolf’s Cartoon Club and Rolf On Art.
A musical career, mainly with novelty songs, saw him top the charts with his cover version of Two Little Boys resting at number 1 for six weeks.
Harris’s career defied that of many children’s presenters, who struggle to maintain popularity after progressing into more mainstream shows.
His 10-year stint presenting Animal Hospital from 1994 to 2004 kept him a household name. Frequently becoming emotional about an unwell puppy or injured cat, it was an empathy Harris seemed unable to offer to his victims.
Harris was a fan of the didgeridoo, and claims to have invented the wobble board
Following his conviction, he wrote a song in jail, describing his victims as money-grabbing “wenches” who want to make him “dance”.
Harris may have wanted to be remembered as a warm-hearted man who loved animals, invented the wobble board and could draw at the speed of light.
Stripped of his CBE and BAFTA fellowship, he will instead be remembered as a paedophile and serial sexual abuser.
Harris once told a journalist his greatest fear was not being loved.
As news of his death aged 93 is met around the world, it’s a fear that has been realised, due to his actions – and his actions alone.
Singer Linda Nolan, who rose to fame alongside her sisters in The Nolans, has died after several years of battling cancer.
The Irish star, 65, and her sisters Coleen, Maureen, Bernie, Denise and Anne, had a run of hits in the late 1970s and ’80s – including the disco classic I’m In The Mood For Dancing.
Paying tribute on The Nolans‘ X account, her sisters described her as “a pop icon and beacon of hope”, who “faced incurable cancer with courage, grace and determination, inspiring millions”.
Linda died peacefully in hospital this morning, “embraced with love and comfort” with her siblings by her side, her agent Dermot McNamara said in a statement.
“As a member of The Nolans, one of the most successful girl groups of all time, Linda achieved global success; becoming the first Irish act to sell over a million records worldwide, touring the world and selling over 30 million records,” he said.
“Her distinctive voice and magnetic stage presence brought joy to fans around the world, securing her place as an icon of British and Irish entertainment.”
As well as her TV and musical career, Linda helped to raise more than £20 million for numerous charities, including Breast Cancer Now, Irish Cancer Society, Samaritans and others.
“Her selflessness and tireless commitment to making a difference in the lives of others will forever be a cornerstone of her legacy,” Mr McNamara said.
Five of the Nolans in 1983 (L-R): Linda, Anne, Bernie, Coleen and Maureen. Pic: PA
Linda’s death came after she was admitted to hospital with pneumonia over the weekend. She began receiving end-of-life care after slipping into a coma on Tuesday.
Details of a celebration of the star’s “remarkable life” will be shared in due course.
Linda was born to Tommy and Maureen Nolan in Dublin on 23 February 1959, the sixth of eight children.
Her parents were both singers and keen to turn their young family into a musical troupe. Linda made her stage debut aged just four.
Those early years put the siblings on track for a career in show business which lasted for decades. As well as I’m In The Mood For Dancing, The Nolans had hits with Gotta Pull Myself Together, Attention To Me and Don’t Make Waves, and they also had their own TV specials.
At their height, they toured with Frank Sinatra and were reported to have outsold The Beatles in Japan.
Linda left the group in 1983, but later reformed with her sisters for several comeback performances. She also became known for musical theatre, most notably performing the role of Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers for three years from 2000.
L-R: Bernie, Denise, Linda (top), Anne and Maureen Nolan pictured in 1975, before youngest sister Coleen joined the group
Four siblings struck by cancer
Linda was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, and underwent a mastectomy two days before her 47th birthday.
After being given the all-clear in 2011, in 2017 she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. Three years later, Linda and Anne together revealed they were being treated for cancer once again.
The sisters were diagnosed with different forms of the disease just days apart after they returned home from filming a series of their show, The Nolans Go Cruising. Linda had cancer of the liver, while Anne had breast cancer.
The star, pictured last year, had battled cancer for several years. Pic: Shutterstock
They went on to write Stronger Together, an account of their journey that included frank details of their treatments and the side effects.
But in 2023, Linda revealed the cancer had spread to her brain and she was beginning treatment as part of a new drug trial.
The Nolans lost their second-youngest sister, Bernie, to cancer in 2013, aged 52.
Loose Women star Coleen Nolan also revealed she was diagnosed with skin cancer last year, and said she was using a chemotherapy cream to remove it.
Linda’s husband of 26 years, Brian Hudson, died in 2007 after being diagnosed with skin cancer.
Anne Nolan is now cancer-free.
Tributes to star ‘who was always a joy’
TV star and singer Cheryl Baker and comedian Tommy Cannon are among those who have paid tribute.
“I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Linda Nolan,” Cannon wrote on X. “I had the pleasure of working with her on so many occasions, and she was always a joy – full of warmth and love. My thoughts and love are with the Nolan girls and the whole family.”
“The most incredible voice, the wickedest sense of humour, such a massive talent,” Baker wrote. “You’re with Brian now, Lin.”
Loose Women also sent its love to her family. Linda appeared as a guest panellist on the ITV chat show over the years, alongside her sister Coleen.
The Blackpool Grand Theatre described her as “a true Blackpool icon”.
A 20-year-old trainee gas engineer who won £7.5m says he was back working on blocked drains the day after claiming his cash.
James Clarkson, 20, from Carlisle, Cumbria, found out he’d hit the £7,533,329 National Lottery jackpot on 4 January – but said he has no plans to quit his job.
“I was out in the cold fixing blocked drains the day after I found out I had won,” he said.
“It was a bit grim but that’s reality.
“I’m not going to stop working, I’m too young,” he added, admitting he knew it might sound “mad” to some.
“I want to qualify as a heating engineer and then go from there.
“I need to have a purpose in life, plus dad wouldn’t let me not work anyway. He says there are plenty of millionaires out there that still work and you need a reason to get up each day.”
Mr Clarkson celebrating with his family. Pic: PA
Mr Clarkson added he still planned to have “some nice holidays” in between working, and revealed one of his first purchases was an all-inclusive luxury break to Cape Verde, along with a few designer items including a Gucci bag for his girlfriend and two new jackets for himself.
He said he also planned to splash out on a new car, possibly an Audi – but for now, he’s got his work van.
“If you drive a cold work van all day, going from job to job, you’d understand,” he said.
“The comfort, the steering, the heated seats. I realise how jammy that sounds, not many people my age can afford the car insurance let alone a car like that to drive.”
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As a huge Manchester City fan, he said he was also looking to buy a season ticket at the Etihad Stadium, as well as taking care of his extended family – starting with paying off his parents’ mortgage.
The new multi-millionaire holds up bespoke Manchester City kit celebrating his win. Pic: PA
He said: “I’ve been thinking about it a lot, it’s what I want to do. I told them last night and they seemed really overwhelmed.
“We are close and they have always been there for me. This win isn’t just for me, I want to make sure we all benefit.”
Mr Clarkson played on the National Lottery app, choosing his winning numbers – 16, 19, 22, 24, 27 and 35 – at random.
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